Caldecott Medal Contender: ‘Locomotive’ by Brian Floca

Trains have rivaled dinosaurs and bears as a subject of adoration among the youngest children spanning back decades and continuing all the way up to the present day. The Rev. W. Audrey’s beloved Thomas the Tank Engine continues its popularity among the pre-schoolers, while The Little Engine Who Could is a bonafide classic in the choo choo literature. Chris Van Allsburg’s Caldecott Medal winner and holiday masterpiece offers up a train like no other, one shrouded in mystery that scales the outer reaches of the imagination. Donald Crews’ Caldecott honor winning Freight Train remains a popular counting and color identification picture book. More recently Jason Carter Eaton and John Rocco’s How to Train a Train, Elisha Cooper’s Train and Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld’s Stream Train, Dream Train have wowed their target audience and book critics. Moreover, in the popular culture trains have served as the setting for some of our popular novels (i.e Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express and Patricia Highsmith’s Strangers on a Train, and films such as Buster Keaton’s The General and more contemporary movies like Runaway Train and The Taking of Pelham 1,2,3. With such a fascination with this unique mode of transportation it is no wonder that baby boomer boys and even some girls considered Lionel trains as the most desirable yuletide gifts.

Renowned author-illustrator Brian Floca turned his own attention to this ever-popular sub-genre with his newest work, Locomotive, a book that became an immediate classic upon release, and one that may finally bring its gifted creator some well-deserved attention from the American Library Association. Floca, who now lives and works in Brooklyn, was born and raised in Temple Texas, and previously illustrated several works for the celebrated Newbery Award winning author, Avi. His ever-increasing catalog of impressive picture books includes one – the space tale Moonshot -that deserved at least a Caldecott honor for often breathtaking and expansive moon vistas, and three others that have delighted younger kids with subjects that are eternally relevant, but rarely done with the artistic prowess and appeal Floca brings to each project. The Racecar Alphabet relates in vivid and propulsive terms the entire experience of driving a race car, reaching the finish line and even sustaining a minor injury en route. On the end papers are numerous different car models for the budding audiophiles in the classroom. Lightship visualizes the sea experience aboard a ship that serves as a beacon, and showcases beautifully vivid illustrations, and Five Trucks is one of the best books of its kind, attracting the ultimate praise from Booklist, which asserted “If picture books about trucks are so easy to do, why do we see so many poor ones and so few as good as this?” I recently checked out Floca’s beautiful illustrations for Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan’s Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring, and marveled at the artists’s diversity. In any event Floca is as much a technical expert at books on transportation as Peter Sis is with history (Starry Messenger, The Wall, Tibet) and David Macaulay is with construction. (Cathedral, Castle, Pyramid) While recognition from the ALA has failed to materialize to this point, Floca has won numerous other citations, including a Robert Siebert Honor and a placement among the best picture books of 2013 (Locomotive) from The New York Times. This writer would find it hard to imagine that Floca will be denied again this year, and expectations are hereby applied that he will come away with at least a Caldecott Honor (he is very much in contention for the gold as well) for this extraordinary book.

In one of the afterwards of this exquisitely crafted book Floca himself acknowledges the long standing appeal of his subject when he asserts: “One could fill a boxcar–maybe a freight train–with books written about the railroad in America. Among the most useful in the making of this book were Hear That Lonesome Whistle Blow: The Epic Story of the Transcontinental Railroads by Dee Brown; Empire Express: Building the First Continental Railroad and The Old Iron Road: An Epic of Rails, Roads and the Urge to Go West by David Haward Bain, and other esteemed volumes by Stephen E. Ambrose and Tomas Clarke. His long essay on the steam locomotive helps to establish his picture book as particularly appealing to older kids, though throughout he straddles a fine line that doesn’t allow the book to be pigeon-holed. The dust jacket cover of the book is one of the best of the year, showing a steam engine flush from the front, at the foreground of a golden dawn, replete with dazzling employment of maroon and brown that makes the panel a real feast for the eyes. When the dust jacket is removed, a stunning mural of buffaloes roaming the plains reminds readers that trains traveled for endless miles over the open country.

The story of Locomotive relates a family’s cross-country journey from a depot in Omaha, Nebraska to the new home that is waiting for them in San Francisco on the just completed transcontinental railroad circa 1869. The main character of the book of course is the train itself, even if two children and their mom supply the human element and the book’s narrative arc. There is a cinematic style to the slightly muted watercolor, ink and gauche illustrations inherent in the idea of accelerating movement, and the mood throughout the book is one of exuberance. This is enhanced by the application of free verse and sound effects alliteration which enables Floca to capture the locomotive engine’s rhythm as it makes a marathon trek across open plains with the author serving as tour guide and resident historian. He presents the men who created and manned the railways- the John Henrys who set the tracks on down to the switchmen, brakemen, firemen, engineers and conductors who made what was once thought of as inconceivable into full realization. Floca never loses his sense of humor: “You can tell that one is new to the job/If he still has all his fingers.” And at one train station stop the mother and one of the boys sit down at a cafe for a choice of buffalo steak, antelope chops or chicken stew. Writes Floca in deadpan: “If the chicken tastes like prairie dog, don’t ask why.”

The train serves as a home for the extended period it takes to travel over so many miles. A single stove for winter trips (situated in a corner) keeps the passengers warm; a boy named Butch walks the aisle peddling magazines, maps, magazines, newspapers (from the previous day) candies, fruits, coffee, tea, sugar, soap, towels and “all the cigars you can smoke.” One must wonder if those indulging in the latter pleasure were segregated from the rest. Ha! The toilet has no plumbing – only a hole in the floor that must be negotiated with a certain balance as the train moves along. The author writes that it was considered rude to relieve yourself when the train was at a stop. But for all the delightful vignettes of life on the train, Locomotive is most exceptional as it chronicles the noises associated with this most charismatic method of transportation. Huff Huff Huff, Chug, chug, chug, Whooo-oooo, Full Steam Ahead,Rickety, rickety, rickety, All aboard! are printed in over sized typography to give the reader the feel and sound of the experience, which serves to atmospherically underline the narrative. There are some extraordinary set pieces like the train crossing the Dale Creek Bridge, the fireman feeding coal into the engine; the over sized two page spread of the wheels starting to move, the train chugging along through the lonely plains; a close-up of the engine roaring through the dark; the train seen through the narrowing hole of a shadowy shed and the locomotive moving through a mountain tunnel. The detail is astounding, and after the first reading of the book comes off as rather intimidating, it gains more and more on re-visitation.

Locomotive at 64 pages is long for a picture book. But in a figurative sense there is reason in chronicling the trip of a lifetime, and in capturing all the impressionistic aspects one would forever remember in such a trip. With the magnificence of Moonshot notwithstanding, Brian Floca has crafted his masterpiece, and there is no reason to believe that American Library Association voters won’t have their eyes wide open when delicately sifting through Locomotive. It moves on all cylinders.

Note: This is the fifth review of a series on picture books seen as ‘Caldecott Medal and Honor’ hopefuls for the January 27th announcements of the prestigious award.

Thanks so very much for that John! The author/illustrator has an amazing string of terrific picture books dating back to the publication of FIVE TRUCKS in 1999. One of the great aspects of his work is that it appeals to adults and art lovers. I’m confident it will also impress the Caldecott committee for either to medal or an honor citation. Either way it would be major and long overdue recognition for him from the ALA.

Frank, thanks so much for the very kind words. I’m delighted to hear you loved the book – it is certainly one of the very best works of the year, and one that should bring Brian Floca some long overdue recognition from the American Library Association.

How COOL that when the artistic dust jacket is removed, PRESTO! there remains even MORE artwork. I love that “the mood throughout the book is exuberance,” and the cadence of the verbiage mimics the train’s rhythm.

Laurie—-
Your continued support and enthusiasm is actually driving me forward, much like the iconic subject of Mr. Floca’s book. Yes, the artwork behind the dust jacket is magnificent, and adds another dimension to the book. To be honest, the sense of exuberance appeals quite a bit to the youngest children, who may not be old enough to appreciate the great art in front of them. You put it perfectly in reference to the way the train’s rhythm is conveyed by sound/language. Thanks so very much my friend!

Peter—-
I guess we have come to expect stunning dust jackets from the books that contend for such a supreme honor. Rarely do we see a truly great book that does not sport an eye-catching dust jacket, but the one on LOCOMOTIVE is really special indeed. Yep this is be a very tough year for sure. Several master class works are in the mix. Thanks as always my friend for the wonderful compliment.

Sam, I trust all is well with you and the Wonders crowd. I haven’t been online much the last few months, at least checking up on my favorite blog. I see you have expanded the coverage to include the picture books that are in contention for the Caldecott Medal. You have provided the interested book lovers with a terrific review of ‘Locomotive.’ From what I see it is a top rank book, and I mean to search it out. Were you planning to survey the Newbery field, Sam?

I did see one potential Caldecott book that impressed me: ‘A Splash of Red’ illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Was wondering whether you had any plans to do that one. I wish you and Lucille a prosperous New Year.

Thanks yet again Celeste for making another appearance at the site. Much appreciated! Yes, I like the idea that this book may be “destined.” The talented author-illustrator has been doing beautiful work for years, and it does seem more than odd that so far the ALA has by-passed him. Can’t thank you enough for the very kind words.

David, I am really thrilled to hear from you!!! I understand you’ve been real busy, but regardless there are far more important things to deal with than blogging, that’s for sure.

I absolutely adore A SPLASH OF RED and Ms. Sweet’s art work (I own a copy of her “A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams,” which won her a Caldecott Honor. She does gorgeous work. I do indeed have set plans to do this book very soon, perhaps within the next week!

Although I do read ALL the Newbery medal and honor books, it takes me a while to do so. It would be impossible for me to do all that reading over just a few weeks and then to write on all the choices. The Caldecotts by comparison are a cinch, as the art is all that counts in the equation, though in some cases beautiful and appropriate prose would turn a torn voter.

Great review and fine words. Writing a whole post about a 60+ page book and the art work is hard to do. I just finished drafting a good resource book for children but the illustrations and layout of the book were horrid.

My partner always, always picks books for their illustrations. My father adored trains and was an engineer on the Canadian Pacific to put himself through university after his parents died. Trains are awesome subjects.

One of my children suffered from anxiety as a baby – the poem THE HUFF AND PUFF EXPRESS reading it over and over and over again could often bring relief in about 30 minutes.

I think I have a talent in reading books allowed and making all the right noises and sounds….I am wondering how folks get chosen to do that work or are the all actors?

This book looks like it could magic the reading experience for some of even my older tutoring kiddos
Thank you

Thanks so very much for the kind words and the great comment Patricia! Much appreciated. That’s great news about you moving forward on a children’s book draft!!! I hope you will stay the course. The picture books for young kids are indeed all about illustrations, though the really great ones are best appreciated by adults. I totally agree that trains are always a great subject for picture books for all sorts of reasons. Your father worked for Canadian Pacific? Wow, that would give all kinds of visual memories from your childhood. Yes, some poems or particular books do serve as a panacea, and your example here is proof parcel. Its hard to say exactly how they determine who reads in the audio books, but yes I would say actors are often the ones chosen. That’s great that you have some dramatic talent in reading!! You would do a terrific job with LOCOMOTIVE for sure!!! Thanks again !!!

I was not born when my father worked on the CP rails as an engineer. My grandfather worked as an engineer for his whole life after he arrived in Ontario from Scotland.
My father was a school teacher, principal and was being vetted for the Secretary of Education position under President Kennedy when Kennedy was Shot.

He graduated from Columbia University with his doctorate after serving in WWII for her Majesty the Queen of England. He was State Director of Special Education in the State of Washington
After Kennedy was shot, my father was unemployed for a number of years, but was the acting Superintendent of Schools in Verona NJ when the fellow there had a heart attack and from there went to lobby the nation to pass a law saying Every Child Deserves A Individual Education. He wrote the guaranteed Education Act funding appropriations Bill that keeps Washington State moving forward. He taught at Stanford, University of Colorado and a school near San Diego. He founded ORION Industries in Seattle WA where Challenge Individuals make parts for Boeing Airplanes with precision and earn a good wage. Then he designed living situations where mentally challenged folks could live on their own and grocery shop and cook and clean and no longer be dependent on their families and their siblings – One of his employees even paid his brother’s way through medical school . Rose Edwin Hamilton was a remarkable fellow,
AT age 63 they found his body was full of cancer – he died 18 months later on my mum’s birthday
Students still call me today to read his dissertation and study his ideas which were so far ahead of the times. Thousands of parents came to his memorial service.
I should write a book about him!
I am very fond of folks in the world of education.

Patricia—-those are some amazing facts you relate there!!! Never knew your father was in education to that extent, but then on top of that the cabinet position that could have been!! Your father’s full and productive life is something you should be proud of as I am sure you are. I know the town of Verona quite well and have attended wedding receptions there. It is a stone’s throw up the road from Montclair, where Lucille and I regularly visit the Claridge arthouse multiplex. He sounds like a legend to all who knew him, especially to his students. I am deeply sorry you lost him at a relatively young sage. he would be the subject for a great book indeed!!!

I am sorry I didn’t see this comment until today Patricia. Thanks again. You moved me for sure.

The illustrations here are beautiful – with each book you write about, Sam, I think this one must be the winner, then along comes another! I love the train theme here too, and sounds as if there is a lot to enjoy in the text as well as the pictures.

Thanks very much for that Judy! LOCOMOTIVE is a strong favorite, but even if it turns out that either JOURNEY or MR. TIGER GOES WILD cops the gold, Brian Floca will finally win the still formidable silver honor for the first time in his career. He is really long overdue. But yes, one great book after another among the hopefuls and there are still more to be covered here in the final two weeks before they are announced. Thanks again my friend!

Top Clicks

Wonders in the Dark is a blog dedicated to the arts, especially film, theatre and music. An open forum is highly encouraged, as the site proctors are usually ready and able to engage with ongoing conversation.